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A court official has thrown out Drake's defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge determined that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be published and marketed, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson said he planned to challenge the ruling. UMG said it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its work with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's career, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge noted.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

On the track his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the song proposed.

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the wording suggests strongly that this lyric is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, did not sue his rival in the legal filing.

His legal team alleged UMG of launching "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our partnership successfully marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the representative continued.

A representative for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.